lawmakers return to annapolis and they're already talking higher taxes. find out how it could affect you the next time you head to the pump to fill up. also ahead this morning they were out and now back in. the world's largest retailer will take a seat at the table to talk more about gun control. destination denver just two days away. the ravens looking to exact some revenge on peyton manning as they continue their push towards super bowl xlvii. we'll give you a preview of that game coming up on this thursday, january 10th. "good morning maryland." i'm charlie crowson. >> and i'm megan pringle. thank you for joining us. before you head out the door you probably want to know how the dress the kids and here's meteorologist lynette charles to let you know. >> yeah they actually do because we have a windchill out there. i don't want the temperatures to fool you this morning. 43 degrees in hanover. yes this is well above average. of 24. but we have the winds out of the northwest at about 4 miles an hour and it is making it feel more like in the 30s this

morning across many spots. 42 degrees in mount airy. and that dew point's nice and dry. coming in in the 20s. 39 degrees right now in glenelg. now this is what we can expect as we go through the day. maryland's most powerful radar is dry right now. we had a few sprinkles come in here yesterday from that cold front that passed. but mainly we were dry and we're going to stay that way today as high pressure is going to build in and do its thing. we will get some sunshine mixing with some clouds as we go throughout the day as well. and this is how you can plan your day. by the time we get to about 10:00, the temperature at 45 degrees. and pushing 50 by lunchtime. let's get a check now of the abc2 timesaver traffic with lauren cook. good morning. good morning lynette. well, we have a serious crash right now in howard county. it's right in ellicott city. and it has shut down old frederick road right at bracken drive. stick with interstate 70 as your alternate route. no delays from columbia pike all the way over to the beltway. over what 95 -- here's what 95 looks like just north of 195. traffic moving along normal 12 minute commute traveling northbound from elkridge all

the way to downtown baltimore. on 83 we have a crash northbound at belfast road. but everything nice and clear on to the jfx and head into the city. just 11 minutes to travel from the beltway all the way down to fayette street. 695 free of delays all the way around. on the west side going to take you eight minutes to travel the outer loop from 795 down to 70. megan and charlie, over to you. two minutes after 5:00 right now. this is going to make you mad. one day into the legislative session and already lawmakers are discussing raising the price of tax. some say it's necessary to pay for transportation but most of you would say find another way. abc2 news sherrie johnson is live this morning and this isn't the first time they've been talking about a gas tax. >> reporter: you're right. we're actually live here in towson on joppa road across the street from a gas station here. in the past the governor and lawmakers have tried to extend the sales tax of gasoline but didn't quite make it. yesterday governor o'malley suggested the idea of adding a penny to the state's gas tax to

help pay for needed transportation projects in maryland. according to published reports, upping the sales tax by a penny would raise about $700 million a year for needed transportation projects. during the 2012 regular session, lawmakers could not agree on the governor's plan to raise the state's 23.5 cents a gallon gas tax. even legislators who supported an increase admit it's not a popular idea. republicans in annapolis say the majority democrats should not expect help from them on any increase in taxes. >> i think we have novatecen from us -- enough taken from us and it -- it's getting ridiculous. you know? i mean the median family income they just ain't even making it no more. >> they also have needs. so taking from peter and giving to paul -- i don't think that is helping much. >> reporter: now legislators say it is just too early to determine what that gas tax

proposal might look like. reporting live in towson, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. well, this morning we are hearing talk out of the white house that the president may issue a gun control order. and lawmakers in annapolis are taking aim at getting gun bills passed in the legislative session. now several bills were turned in with the hopes of getting a handle on gun violence and we know gun control is high on governor o'malley's agenda. and about face from wal- mart. the company says it will take part in a meeting with vice president joe biden and his gun violence task force. wal-mart originally said executives couldn't attend the meeting because they had to be at monthly sales meetings. in response to the widespread criticism. the world's largest retailer says it will attend biden's panel in response to the shooting in newtown, connecticut. lit give recommendations on preventing another mass shooting in the future. the ravens are off to denver. that's going to be tomorrow. they're going to face-off one more time with number 18 if hopefully we can embarrass the broncos and their home turf just like they did to us during

the regular season. that's 34-17 loss last month is still stinging. but now we're in the playoffs and the focus is saturday. there are concerns now about the air up there in denver. the coach harbaugh acknowledged the challenge but once interested in using that as an excuse and neither is number 52. >> it's not life or death man. just going out and playing in a different climate. they have to play in the same climate we in you know whether they think they're acclimated to or not. we're not going to make it an issue. >> got to play the game people. the ravens will head to denver tomorrow afternoon and then take on manning and the broncos the next day. kickoff from denver set for 4:30. and remember here at abc2 we are very excited about the playoff run. just as excited as you are so join us tomorrow night for a one hour special "destination denver." kelly swoope will be live with fans at dell la rosa's in white marsh and jamie costello live

from denver tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. any dogs in the house? how about putting a dog in your house? this is in honor of ray lewis. i think he would love this. tomorrow and saturday the maryland spca is offering discounted adoptions. the price for all large dogs will be reduced from $125 to $52. that's a great deal. so all you have to do is head on down to the maryland spca on falls road and when you go there you will see the shelter is all decked out in purple. the dogs even wearing ravens' bandannas. >> this is t in the playoff spirit for everyone. and to have been price $52 -- and of course the price $52. >> you can even name the dog ray. who knows? >> you like that lynette? >> i think velvet needs a friend. >> oh. he's too jealous. i wish i could do it. let's talk about that forecast for denver shall we? we'll start you out along the gulf coast states because you can see the elephant in the room there. the pink elephant lots of rain and severe weather possible across the gulf coast as we go

throughout the day. louisiana getting some heavier rain in here. but as we move further to the west, around denver nice and dry. they're going to be dealing with mostly sunny skies for today. but then the change comes in the forecast. and well, we're dealing with 19 for a temperature under mostly cloudy skies. and then we have the chance for some snow during that game. so we'll see we'll keep our eyes peeled for that and hopefully pull out a big win. but temperatures right now coming in on the cool side. not going to say cold but there's a windchill out there as well. so this 44 that you're feeling in glen burnie feels more like the low 40s upper 30s. 39 manchester right now and myersville coming in at 40 degrees. we'll get the full forecast coming up. let's get a check now of the abc2 timesaver traffic with lauren cook. good morning. good morning lynette. well, we are dealing with a transformer fire near the mount member enhigh school. if you are -- hebren high school. you want to stick with interstate 70 as the alternate route. and more problems in baltimore county. we are dealing with a crash right now on the harrisburg

expressway in sparks glencoe. one northbound lane is shut down at belfast road. stick with york road to avoid any delays. everything up to speed near no problems heeding up to towson. that's a look at your traffic. megan and charlie, over to you. months after superstorm sandy ravaged the east coast, the task of rebuilding there continues. >> up next we're going to show you how one city is working to reconstruct a historic landmark, this time though they want to make it stronger. >> and abc2 is working for you with the very latest on this ongoing flu outbreak. we have new information this morning. what you need to know to keep yourself and your family safe from getting sick. >> news time right now eight minutes after 5:00 and as we head to break, everybody is getting into the spirit of the ravens heading out west. take a look at downtown baltimore. city hall is glowing purple. first it was the stencil and now they are lighting up the town purple. we'll be right back.

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thank you for joining us this morning, it's been almost three months since sandy hit the east coast and the people in crisfield are still cleaning up the damage that storm caused. senator cardin is going to be touring the hardest hit area in

our state to see firsthand the recovery efforts and how they're going. a total of 585 homes were affected by the storm including 71 homes that suffered major damage. senator cardin's tour is set to start at 2:15 this afternoon. the construction work kicked off on the popular new jersey boardwalk damaged during superstorm sandy. it destroyed the entire 1.3- mile stretch of bell mar's boardwalk. bell mar borrowed money instead of waiting for the federal monies to come in to jump-start the project. it's going to run them about $6.6 million. new designs includes straps that will better anchor the boardwalk during hurricanes. it's hard to believe there's so much clean-up but you can see why. >> we've got the legal side of it and legislative side of it going on in congress but the people needs to lives the get back to normal. >> it's really pathetic and sad all at the same time. here at home we are dealing with temperatures in the 30s and 40s this morning. and let me add the upper 30s at

that. but we have those winds out of the northwest at about 5 to 10 miles an hour. so shave about five degrees off all the temperatures. so right now it's 38 in hickory. manchester coming in at 39. 41 in columbia. good morning sparrows point. you're at 43 degrees. 44 in annapolis. centreville at 45 and northeast at 40 degrees this morning. but it does feel colder and that's what you need to dress for. the satellite and radar, not picking up on a whole lot in terms of precip. so we did have that cold front move through the area yesterday. and with that we did see a few sprinkles across the area. high pressure is going to do its thing today and it is going to keep us dry. we'll also get a little bit of sunshine in here as we go through time as well. but as we look back down towards south. well we have this system that's pushing wet weather and possibly severe weather across the gulf coast for today. but across the tennessee valley they're doling with some wet weather. that will stay away from us, we are going to be dealing with temperatures that are going to move to the higher place

through time. i'm going to show you that in just a moment but let me put this into motion so you can see the area of low pressure will stay off to the north and west. by friday that's when we will have the chance for some showers working their way in during the evening time frame and then things start to improve. this is what we have for today. the high temperature at 52 degrees and this is the seven day forecast. look at the 60s. 60 on saturday and 65 as we head into sunday. let's get a check now of the abc2 timesaver traffic with lauren cook. good morning. good morning lynette. well we are following several accidents. we have big problems on 83 in baltimore county. there's an overturned tractor- trailer that has shut down the northbound lanes at belfast road. one shoulder is getting by at this time. so you will want to stick with york road as the alternate route. more problems in howard county where we are dealing with a transformer fire right in ellicott city. old frederick road closed at bracken drive. stick with interstate 70 as the alternate route. here's what 695 looks like. no problems to report whatsoever here in pikesville traffic moving right along from group spring avenue all the way

down to route 40. and 95 downtown also clear. a live look at the fort mchenry tunnel. no problems whatsoever. that's a look at your abc2 timesaver traffic. megan and charlie, over to you. quarter after 5:00 right now. and when it comes to the flu, children are especially vulnerable. 18 kids have already died from the flu this year and abc2 news health reporter linda so is here are some tips and advice. linda i know people are wondering how the school is dealing with the problem. >> reporter: schools you know it's a closed quarter kids are all together. it's sew sieve to spread any -- so easy to spread any kind of virus. they're doing what they can to keep things as clean as possible. lots of hand washing and sanitizer and reminders of how to properly cover your cough. doctors say the best way is to cough into the inside of your elbow. not into your hand. kids are more likely to use good hygiene when it's fun. for example, sing a song that lasts at least 20 seconds while washing hands and talk to your kid about recognizing symptoms.

>> some people sing the abcs, happy birthday two times but at least 20 seconds of vigorous washing. i do know when people do wash their hands, they may not go in- between their fingers and get underneath the fingers and there's lots of germs that obviously you can't see germs. you get stuck beyond when you don't -- behind when you don't wash properly. >> reporter: don't give them a time normal and send them to school -- tylenol and send them to school. keep them home so the infection doesn't spread and remember abc2 is working for you. we have a special section on the website dedicated to the flu. it's under the featured stories section at abc2news.com. linda so, abc2 news. well, americans are apparently getting sicker and dying younger than their international peers. the new report finds life expectancies in the u.s. are lagging behind 27 other high income countries. that's despite the fact that americans spend more per person on health care than in any other country. that after 2007 shows

americans' life expectancy is 3.7 years shorter for men compared to the leading nation in switzerland. it's 5.2 years shorter for women compared to japan with that leading nation. the likely cause is that americans know what's good for them but in so many cases we are reluctant to act. all right, it is 5:17. you can call it a case of mistaken identity in one neighborhood. >> yeah you're going to find out what happened after police respond to calls of a young lion on the loose and it turns out it's just a man and his best friend. >> i love that story. also ahead this morning -- the story i'm not so in love with. i think you're going to be upset too. a popular board game looking to get out with the old and in with the new. find out how you can help decide the future of your favorite monopoly game piece. >> batten down the hatches megan is going to be on the loose. >> keep the thimble! this cold season, nasal congestion won't stop me.

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vo: for cold and flu season, honey, don't use your sleeve. there's clorox bleach. all right, this little bundle of energy isn't a lion that he looks like. meet charles the monarch. i'm going to start calling you that charlie. he's a labara doodle and police in virginia got calls about a baby lion on the loose. officers even called a local zoo to make sure all the cats

for accounted for. daniel painter says the pet's cut is to make him look an old dominion university mascot and there you go. painter says it's not the first time the pooch has been mistaken for a lion and calls have been made to place. >> you're going to start calling me the monarch do i get to have a mono8:00? speaking of the mono8:00. watch in. >> this story makes me so mad. why do they have to change this? >> the floor is yours. >> the iconic monopoly tokens are going away and hasbro is replacing the to bens with a new one. the maker turns to facebook to decide which of the classic game pieces get the boot. don't make it the boot. >> okay people can vote on which token they would like to sea spired. -- see spared.

you can also decide the replacement between a cat, a by the tar, a diamond ring. -- guitar, a diamond ring. we have posted this on the facebook page and you'll probably see a lot of megan pringle posts about how this is a traves city in the world of board games. you can see the classics there. the dog, the car, the iron, the boot. the thimble. that's the one you think is going to get tossed. >> i think either the wheelbarrow or the thimble but i hate to see them go. i did a quick check and lauren likes the dog. you like the hat or the car. lynette likes them all. i like the car, i like the cat, i like the dog. >> me too. >> i'm with you lynette. >> go to facebook and let us know which one -- should stay or go? >> well, head to facebook we'll let you know. coming up in morning awards season is getting underway in the awards industry. >> a little preview of the oscar no, ma'am neighs and all -- dominations and all later -- nominations and all later on this morning. >> we're going to break down the singers up for this year's

grammy awards. wonder if one is rihanna. >> we have plenty of rain down to the south right now. i'll tell you when that moves in our direction coming up. >> avoid 83. we're doling with an overturned tractor-trailer at belfast road and i'll have all the details coming up on "good morning maryland."

she is still fired up about that. well, the list of some of those who are going to perform at the 55th annual grammy awards has been announced. nominees rihanna, the black keys are among those taking the stage february 10th in los angeles. noticeably absent from the list so far. kanye west, jay-z and frank ocean with a number of nominations. including album of the year and best new artist. well, it is the highest award a movie can receive and today we are going to find out who is vying for this year allen iverson cadmy awards -- year's academy awards. best picture favorites include zero dark thirty and "lincoln." among other prospects "django unchained" and "the life of

pi." they will be announced at 8:40 this morning by emma stone and seth mcfarland. he's hosting right i believe the ceremonies? >> i believe so. >> by the way the show is the 24th of february. this guy is accused of brawling with a police officer. now one judge tells the clown he has had enough. >> certainly has and we're going to show you why the judge postponed a court hearing after the defendant showed up in full costume. it's pretty good video. >> all rights on a serious -- also on a serious note an act of kindness takes a serious turn. a store clerk set up by criminals and then violently attacked. >> reporter: good morning top egg america's -- topping america's money. today federal regulators are aflouncing limits on risky interest only loans as well as districter rules forcing banks to verify borrowers' income. ai give decided not to sue the federal government over the

bailout that saved it. they will not join a lawsuit that claims shareholders were hurt because aig got too little taxpayer money in the deal. aig got $182 billion in 2008. and welcome news for half the u.s. homes that heat with natural gas. warm temps have sent prices plunging 7% in just nine days with the trend expected to continue. and jack lieu won't be nominated for secretary of penman shipment he is in loin to be the next treasury secretary so the squiggly signature could be.coming to your money soon. that's america's money, i'm -- coming to your money soon. that's america's money, i'm rob nelson.